Steering Alignment

[Yankees39]

Quick question on my 1999 2100v a few months ago I was turning the boat going about 20 mph and the steering slipped for a quick second. Now the steering wheel is out of alignment. Everything else is fine, it turns completely both directions but the steering wheel is side ways while going straight. I am wondering if I need a new steering cable to fix this or if there is a way to correct the alignment. Also the steering it self is not hard to turn, well it doesn't take two hands but it also is not turn able with 1 finger when turning the boat. It doesn't technically need to be fixed because everything works but would be nice to have the steering wheel the right way when going straight and not turns half way to the left to go straight.

Thanks for any advice

[Thegerman618]

what do you mean it slipped? That is weird never heard of that before, there could be a root cause and that is that the coupler that holds the cable at the stern of the boat may have somehow come loose and the cable slipped a bit. IF....that is what happened, you will want the rudder straight and adjust the cable position in the bracket so the steering wheel is straight and your done. That being said there will always be some counter steering required to account for the turn of the prop, I don't think my steering wheel has ever been straight up and down when at speed, only in the harbor. Just a side note, sounds like you a steering cable is either due or coming due soon for replacement. I am sure others will chime in with other options.

[25cents]

I dont know about the slipping aspect, but agree with TheGerman618 that it sounds like you are going to need a new cable in the next little while. Mine went from a little tight like you are currently describing to two hands to turn in just a couple trips. I ordered the part through amazon and did it in a day. May be a good pre-season preventive maintenance job.

[chpthril]

Is it a rotary or rack and pinion? If its a rotary, sounds like it jumped a tooth.

[lee]

1999 should be rotary.

[Yankees39]

Sorry guys I should have described slipped a little better. I was turning to the left and holding the turn then the wheel jumped or became free of friction and turned even further to the left but my gradual turn did not change. From that point on it stayed "out of alignment".

I'm not sure what jumping a tooth means or where the teeth are but that description sounds like what could have possible happened. is that something that can be fixed or just live with it? Where are the teeth?

Thanks for the input everyone

[chpthril]

fixed yes, likely need a new steering box.